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SNAP for Farmers

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What is SNAP Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Formerly the food stamp program http://www.nyfarmersmarket.com

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Why accept SNAP? http://www.nyfarmersmarket.com Compliments the FMNP program with a wider range of eligible products 46 million Americans receive SNAP benefits NYS distributes over $5 Billion in SNAP benefits annually SNAP adds customers and sales to your farm!

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What is Market Link http://www.nyfarmersmarket.com Complete technology solution for farmers and markets. Smartphone, card reader and blue-tooth connected printer Nationally negotiated rates with third party processor USDA support for operational fees Expedited applications

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Eligibility Free Terminal Program Direct marketing farmer Participating in at least one market that is not already SNAP authorizedOR Farmers market not currently accepting SNAP Eligible for Support from NYS program: Direct marketing farmer Farmers Market CSA Mobile Market

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Free Terminal Program: Fees & Commitments Year 1Year 2Year 3 iPhone with card reader$0 Wireless data service (2 years) $0 From $30/month* Annual fee for payment processing (1 year) $0$120 License Fee for MobileMarket+ application $0 $100 Transaction fees SNAP: 15 cents per transaction Credit & debit: 1.79% of sale plus 15 cents Total $0$120$220 * Varies based on provider (Verizon, AT&T, TMobile, etc.)

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Options and Commitments OptionsCommitment http://www.nyfarmersmarket.com Provide your own phone for full 3 years of fees covered iPhone Android iPad Mini iPad 3 year commitment to WorldPay Early termination fees apply

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NYS Program adds on: Training Promotional materials www.nyfarmersmarket.com/ebt Signage Tokens Fee reimbursement: Transaction fees ((SNAP only) Annual processing fee Annual licensing fee

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Where can you use the equipment? http://www.nyfarmersmarket.com Anywhere that makes the most sense to you! Farmers market Can be used simultaneously with tokens Farm stand PYO CSA programs Cannot accept prepayment greater than 14 days in advance, nor membership or delivery fees CANNOT be used for SNAP with online sales!

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SNAP Eligible Products All fruits and vegetables Meats, fish and poultry Cheese and all dairy products Eggs Baked goods Processed foods Maple/honey/cider/juices Herbs plants and bunched Plants and seeds that bear food Ineligible Products: Non food productsNon food products Wine & alcohol productsWine & alcohol products Hot foodsHot foods Foods meant to be eaten on siteFoods meant to be eaten on site

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Debit and Credit http://www.nyfarmersmarket.com This is a part of the MarketLink package Fees are your own, no reimbursement No monthly minimums

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Grow Sales with Electronic Payments Community Merchants USA, reported in Forbes Magazine that only 27% of sales today are completed in cash. Cash sales are estimated to drop to less than 23% in the next four years. Another study shows that the size of a sale can increase as much as 40% when using a credit card. Do business the way your customers want to do business

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How do I participate? http://www.nyfarmersmarket.com You must have an email address that is being used! Complete the USDA FNS Retailer application Requires copies of drivers license, Social Security card, business license of some sort Complete the WorldPay Customer Processing Agreement Requires banking information

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Two ways to go through the applications: http://www.nyfarmersmarket.com 1) go to www.marketlink.orgwww.marketlink.org Instructions are available to help you through the application process 2) Phone appointment with Federation and do apps over the phone Completed apps emailed to you for signature and submission

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Terminal Set up http://www.nyfarmersmarket.com Once approved by USDA and after you have completed and submitted the WorldPay application, you will receive your new iPhone from Mobile Market+ Unpack and charge your iPhone Use the Quick Start Guide to prepare to accept transactions Training by Market Link Team: Terminal set up Terminal usage

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Your responsibilities Maintain adequate funds in your checking account to cover fees Reconcile your account monthly Farmers market mandatory training via webinar Farmers must accept payment ONLY on SNAP eligible products Treat SNAP customers with dignity and respect Be prepared to accept SNAP payments throughout the market hours, each market day

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Whats coming? http://www.nyfarmersmarket.com Farmers Market Coalition USDA Supported assistance to markets with expiring equipment SNAP-authorized farmers markets and direct marketing farmers (who sell at one or more farmers markets) are eligible for funding if they became authorized before Nov. 18, 2011, AND fall into one of the following categories: A. They do not currently possess functioning EBT equipment; OR B. They currently possess functioning EBT equipment, but received that equipment before May 2, 2012. Visit www.fmctoolbox.org for eligibility (Feb 17)www.fmctoolbox.org Mini-grants to build EBT programs (no date set yet)

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Questions? http://www.nyfarmersmarket.com

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Contact us today! The Farmers Market Federation of NY provides SNAP assistance to all farmers and markets in NY State http://www.nyfarmersmarket.com